Somalians and Ethiopians living in Khayelitsha say that they are a target 24 hours a day, while young locals say that jealousy triggers the violence.
Small business operators and politicians seem to be singing from the same bellicose hymn sheet.
About half a dozen people have been killed in the latest outbreak of looting and xenophobia. It appears South Africa has learnt little since 2008.
Despite state denials that xenophobia is behind the violence, the attacks on foreign township shop owners appear to have a political edge to them.